While many were enjoying a long weekend, a small crowd of Ceres residents took an hour Monday morning to remember those for whom the Memorial Day holiday was meant: Those who gave their lives defending the country in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Monday’s Memorial Day observance, held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ceres Memorial Park, was hosted by the Ceres post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion. The event included invocation by Brock Condit, a local pastor and sheriff’s deputy; the singing of the National Anthem by Marlene DeHerrera Rodriguez; a ceremonial 21-gun salute; Michael Akard playing of bagpipes and remarks by state Assemblyman Juan Alanis, Mayor Javier Lopez and Ceres Police Chief Trenton Johnson. Other speakers include Nainder Bahia representing state Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil and Lisa Mantarro Moore representing Congressman Adam Gray.
Ceres American Legion Post Commander Pete Samaniego emceed the ceremony which included a “final roll call” and ringing of a bell for Ceres area veterans who passed away in the past year. They included Freddie Morales, John Elliott, Louis Potter and James Davis.
Samaniego reminded those in attendance that “freedom is not free – there is a price for liberty that we enjoy.
“For many of us, especially at this time of year, memories come flooding back,” said Samaniego. “Our thoughts may turn back to a buddy with whom we served, or a relative we saw in wartime photos. For the post 9/11 generation, Memorial Day may represent a friend or loved one that made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation in the war of terrorism. No matter our relationship to those heroes, we are indebted to them and their families every day of the year.”
Mayor Lopez praised the sacrifices of all service personnel and asked the audience to “never forget the price that was paid for the freedoms we enjoy today.” He recounted that the holiday began as Decoration Day in which veterans graves were remembered with flags and other items. He noted the holiday changed to the National Day of Remembrance and now Memorial Day.
“It is important that we understand the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day,” said Mayor Lopez. “Veterans Day honors all who serves. Memorial Day honors those who served and never came home. This is why today carries such deep meaning. It’s not just about patriotism. It’s not just about sacrifice, it’s about loss. It is about remembering the names, the families, the stories, the lives given for something greater than ourselves.”
Lopez implored those attending to “teach the next generation why this day matters.”
Chief of Police Johnson addressed the crowd and said not many officers were present because of a critical incident that just occurred and was resolved hours earlier.
“And just like the men and women that we honor today, our officers also go to work not wanting to give the ultimate sacrifice, but if it’s called on them, they do,” said Chief Johnson. “And I don’t think taking an hour of our time to come out here today to honor them is asking too much. And I think that this field should be full of people from our community and I thank you all that are here. I also don’t think that they want us to mourn them today; I think that they would want us to go out with our families and enjoy our families since they are not able to. And that’s exactly what we should do. So please have a good Memorial Day. Love your family.”
State Assemblyman Alanis said Memorial Day is a “solemn reminder of courage, dedication, and selflessness of those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day for the United States.
“Their bravery has allowed generations to live in freedom and prosperity, and pursue the American dream. The American dream seems to change every now and then, and I get to see how the American dream changes up in Sacramento. Now, it’s harder to achieve that dream, and hopefully, we’ll work harder on that to make sure that the American dream is still affordable.”
Alanis also said he feels honored to work in Sacramento to “help bring some bills that will give relief to veterans and to Californians.”
After a 21-gun salute by the VFW and American Legion honor guard the program gave audience members a chance to pin a small poppy onto a memorial wreath and call out the name of loved ones who served the country in the Armed Forces.
